2017 Race Calendar

Phuket 2013 - Dragons Write up + Results

What another fantastic, unbelievably awesome Phuket race!Phuket has to be, by far, the best race and have the best after-party in Asia, possibly the World…..even….the Universe !!!!Below, you’ll see we had 36 Dragons participate and turn in some great times – so congratulations to everyone who raced.It was also great to catch up with some of our ‘remote’ Dragons : Paul Dingley from Singapore, Steve Cosgrave from Abu Dhabi, Paul Thompson from Perth – and the clubs ex-president and co-founder, Julian “the Shonkster” Cosgrave.Our commiserations also go out to the unfortunate few who punctured and were unable to go on. A huge shame, but that’s racing – sometimes sh!t does happen.I guess overall we were fortunate with the weather in the end, as the storms had blown over by race morning, but the remaining overcast skies saved us from the blasting heat of the Phuket sunshine.The post race lunch held at the Dragons secret lair in Phuket was very enjoyable and involved a certain number of people being shoved into the pool, thankfully no mobiles were involved.Between the beers, wine, champagne (naturally) and a bottle of Ouzo (which was just suicidal), we all managed to eventually stagger on to the official post race banquet down at the ‘Outrigger Hotel’.Our 3 tables were reserved next to our HK rivals, the mighty teenage Tritons ….and immediately the banter and stand-offs began with Dragons flags being waved energetically against thrusting inflatable Tritons!The single Dragons podium position this year came from our committee member Paul “Boomer” McMahon who placed 3rd and is getting faster every year- proving that Viagra is not just to stop you from rolling out of bed at night !The awards ceremony hosted by the highly talented Whit finally gave way to the band, who were pretty awesome and gracefully put up with the stage being shared by the drunken Dragons and Tritons – desperate for stage domination and vying for the true Phuket title of the craziest club to attend Phuket. And it is during this time of evening, when the lights are low, the music is loud and enough alcohol has been consumed, that people show their true identities, their alter egos perhaps. So, with these inhibitions cast aside (along with clothing) legends can often be born.And indeed a legend was born. From literally out of nowhere, a man off’ed his shirt, dived headlong onto the stage and danced like a possessed medicine man around the female lead singer. The stage shook alarmingly as he darted this way and that, arms waving, legs kicking, pelvis indicating all sorts of desires. The crescendo coming as he dived across the floor, between her legs, just as she concluded her song. A moments silence and then the crowd went wild. Applause thundered through the marquee and the band members stood stunned.Simon Porter stood up, grinning from ear to ear. He may have got a DNF in the race, but he’d surely come away with the prize of the night for his stage antics.

As the official after party started to die down the after-after party started down on the beach. Clearly 9 hours of drinking at this point was deemed not enough!And the rest is …….well, lost in a blur really!! So if you didn’t make it there this year, then make sure you’re part of it next year……..who knows, there could be a legend in you just waiting to get out!!We are the Hong Kong Dragons……….and this is how we roll !!!